Balfa Belair

FRAME OVERVIEW

Balfa Belair is a 4.4" (112 mm) travel frame dedicated for XC, enduro and all mountain use.

Just like all Balfas, with a sturdy 6061 alloy front end and 4130 cro-mo swingarm, this frame is built to last, yet it weighs just 6.25 lbs (2.8 kg). A simple single pivot design ensures simplicity and requires substantionally less maintenance than a linkage frame. With the pivot located in the optimum spot the frame rides and pedals like nothing else and Balfa's customary steel rear takes out all of the small vibrations even more.

The most characteristic part of Belair is the rear shock mounted inside the top tube.

Balfa Belair

GEOMETRY

Balfa Belair geometry
Imperial dimensions (inches) SIZE
Small Regular Large
A Seat Tube length 16.5 18.0 19.5
B Top Tube length 22.0 23.7 24.9
C Head Tube Angle 70°
D Seat Tube Angle 65°
E Chainstay Length 16.0
F Wheelbase 41.0 43.0 44.0
G Bottom Bracket Height 13.4
H Standover Height 26.8 27.5 28.0
I Head Tube Height 4.6 5.3 5.3
J Fork length 18.5

Metric dimensions (mm) SIZE
Small Regular Large
A Seat Tube length 419 457 495
B Top Tube length 559 603 633
C Head Tube Angle 70°
D Seat Tube Angle 65°
E Chainstay Length 406
F Wheelbase 1039 1083 1113
G Bottom Bracket Height 341
H Standover Height 680 699 712
I Head Tube Height 118 135 135
J Fork length 470

TECHNICAL DETAILS

  • Frame weight - 6.25 lbs (2840 g) with Fox Float RL
  • Rear wheel travel - 4.4" (112 mm)
  • Rear shock size - 6.5 x 1.5" (165 x 38 mm)
  • Seatpost diameter - 27.2 mm
  • Seatpost collar diameter - 31.8 mm
  • Headset - 1 1/8"
  • Rear axle width: 135 mm
  • BB shell width - 73 mm
  • BB axle length - 113 to 116 mm (depending on chainline)
  • Front derailleur - down swing, down-pull (with 31.8 mm collar)
  • Tyre clearance - 2.35"
  • Pivot bearings - 6001 RS (two)

SUSPENSION DESIGN

Belair uses simple single pivot (unlike 2Steps) suspension with pivot point placed typically around middle chainring (unlike the BB7).

Balfa Belair suspension layout
Balfa Belair suspension - static
Balfa Belair compressed suspension
Balfa Belair suspension - full compression

Suspension characteristics (red line shows type of suspension rate), axle path (dimensions in milimeters) and chain growth:

Balfa Belair suspension characteristics
Suspension characteristics - falling rate with slight rise around the SAG
Balfa Belair axle path
Rear axle path - slightly rearward in first 65 mm (maximum around 5 mm)
Balfa Belair chain growth
Chain growth - linear with about 17 mm maximum

You can download Belair layout for Linkage2 here (view BB7 suspension design for details and program download).

LOGO AND DECALS

If you need to print a new set of stickers for your Balfa, visit common "Logo and frame decals" section.

PHOTOS

Balfa Belair bike Balfa Belair frame Balfa Belair linkage Balfa Belair on Interbike Balfa Belair rear shock mount Balfa Belair swingarm

LINKS

For more information about Balfa Belair visit: